Continental Drift & Sea Floor Spreading

Front

What is the Hypothesis of Continental Drift?

Back

The Hypothesis of Continental Drift suggests that continents were once part of a single landmass called Pangaea, which gradually broke apart and drifted to their current locations.

Front

Who developed the Hypothesis of Continental Drift?

Back

Alfred Wegener.

Front

What are mid-ocean ridges?

Back

Mid-ocean ridges are long mountain belts that divide the sea floor and generate new sea floor as magma rises and erupts onto Earth's surface.

Front

What evidence did Wegener use to support his theory of Continental Drift?

Back

Wegener used evidence from climate change, fossils, and land features to support his theory.

Front

Why was the Hypothesis of Continental Drift initially not well received?

Back

It was not well received because scientists did not know the force responsible for the moving continents.

Front

What is sea floor spreading?

Back

Sea floor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges and older crust is pushed away from the ridge.

Front

What role do tectonic plates play in Continental Drift?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's crust that move and interact, causing continents to drift over geological time.

Front

What is Pangaea?

Back

Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, before breaking apart into the continents we know today.

Front

What are ocean trenches?

Back

Ocean trenches are deep, narrow depressions in the ocean floor, often formed where one tectonic plate is being subducted under another.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process by which one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle.